KUALA LUMPUR: With only 18.9 per cent or 27,276 individuals from 144,180 Orang Asli aged 18 and above registered for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK), the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) is pooling all resources to make PICK a success among the indigenous community.
Towards this end, Jakoa is planning various initiatives to disseminate information on vaccination to the community including those who are still leading a nomadic way of life.
"Among the initiatives include providing information via Tok Batin and Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee chairman in the attempt to coax more members of the community (to receive vaccine shot)," said Jakoa in an email reply to Bernama yesterday.
To date, 4,395 Orang Asli had received one dose of vaccine while 1,500 people have completed two vaccine doses.
The role of the Jakoa COVID-19 Taskforce was also to ensure accurate information on vaccination is delivered to the Orang Asli community effectively.
To facilitate them, selected Orang Asli villages were made vaccination centres (PPV) apart from mobile immunisation registration programme being held during contribution or food basket presentation events.
In JOHOR, Jakoa embarked on a strategy of vaccination Orang Asli community leaders to build confidence among other villagers to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
Johor Agriculture, Agro-based and Rural Development Committee chairman, Datuk Samsolbari Jamali said the strategy succeeded as 2,314 individuals or 19.8 per cent of the 11,670 eligible members of the community agreed to get vaccinated.
There are 16,232 Orang Asli from the Jakun, Kuala, Seletar, Kanaq and Temuan tribes in 60 Orang Asli villages in Johor.
"We expect the vaccination registration of Orang Asli in Johor would be settled by the end of next month to achieve herd immunity and contain the spread of COVID-19," he said.
In PAHANG, two Tok Batin, Pigi Amau and Tosi Ayin have mobilised efforts to register as vaccine recipients by getting the shots themselves first yesterday.
"The process is quick and there is no pain. I hope all my fellow villagers need not worry about getting vaccinated and there is any doubts, come to my house and look at me," said Pigi who is from Kampung Chuat in Bera.
Pigi, 65, was the first individual from 200 members of the Semelai tribe in the village to be vaccinated.
Sharing the same experience was Tosi, 60, who is the Tok Batin in Pos Iskandar also in Bera who wants his village friends to do so as some are still afraid to register.
Tosi of the Semelai tribe was among 20 Orang Asli individuals selected to receive the vaccine jabs yesterday.
In SELANGOR, Orang Asli Islamic Welfare and Management Association chairman (PKPIOA) Norazman Jamalim said the roles of local leaders especially Tok Batin are very important to disseminate vaccination information as they still have problems accessing internet apart from the difficulties faced by senior citizens on using smart phones.
Selangor Health director, Datuk Dr Sha'ari Ngadiman said so far, 14,301 Orang Asli in the state are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine in five districts.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Jun 22 2021
Jakoa is planning various initiatives to disseminate information on vaccination to the community including those who are still leading a nomadic way of life. BERNAMApic
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Prabowo officially became Indonesia's eighth president on Sunday morning after he was sworn in during a ceremony at Indonesia's parliament.
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.